Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-02-26
THAT CHINA SET.

nter-Ooean
Mrs. Thompson stood by the kitchen
table pairing potatoes Tor dinner. Some
thing was evidently wrong with the little
woman, for there was an unnaistakabie
air Of spite the way she tossed the pota-
toes into the pan.
Her irritation was easily explained. A
sewing club had been formed in the
neiehborlood and it was to meet at Mrs.
Thompson's on Friday evening, and this
was tuesday. Now, her stock OF table
ware was very limited and very shabby.
She had long wanted pretty china set
she had seen down at Dobson's, with
little gilt lines and Japanese figures
ON it. She had often reminded Robert,
her husband, Of the battered and disor-
eanized condition Of their dishes, but he
had always answered that they were
good enough for him, and what was good
enough for him was good enough for
his friends.
At breakfast this morning she had
spoken of the China set again.
1.-THE old ones will do" said he.
"You'd not have thought Of this If that
sewing circle hadn't been coming here.
II they can't eat from such dishes as
we've got they are welcome to stay
away"
There were tears in Mrs. Thompson's
eyes as she replied, 1--WE could have
them Just as well not. You might spend
some of your money that way instead of
leaning it on mortgages"
"The question is not whether we can
afford the things or not, but whether
want them or not" was bis brutal re-
joinaer, as he rose to leave the table.
''By the way" ne said as he was going
out, ''Davis and Lester are going to give
me lift With the south meadow to-day,
and they'll be in to DINNER. Oh, and the
Perkinses want five pounds of butter;
don't forget to send it over" and he went
IN without kind word or thought for
the tired and disappointed wife he left to
do hard days work.
Before II had well struck Mrs.
Thompson saw her husband and his two
friends coming through the orchard with
red and hungry faces. Frank and Char
ley came rushing in from school, each
STRIVING to claim her attention. She felt
tired, heated and very cross.
"Why isn't dinner ready?" demanded
Mr.. Thompson, not seeing it actually on
the table. ~ told you we had no time
to waste" he added sngrily in his hurry
and hunger.
A bitter retort was springing to her
lips; but just then Charley rushed ur-
"Look mother! I'm going into senten-
ces, now, like Frank. It's my first copy.
Teacher wrote it; she said I was to get
it by heart and always remember it."
Mrs. Thompson read, "a soft answer
turneth away wrath" Somehow the old
proverb fell like cool sweet wind on
her heated pulses.
"rll have dinner ready in moment,
Robert" she said quietly.
Mr.. Thompson looked up quickly;
evidently he had not expected 30 gentle
q reply; he didn't know just what to
make of it.
at doesn't feel here as it does in the
blazing meadow" he remarked to his
friends, as they went into The cool sit
ting room. "Folks that can keep in
doors this weather don't know what heat
u.s."
Mrs. Thompson wondered if this was
q slap at her. Her face locked scarlet
for any amount of heat.
'This butter muet have been kept in
the kitchen; it's like oil, said Mr..
Thompson.
81 took it out of the cellar since you
came in. shall 60 down and get some
if you think I had better, was the reply,
given softly.
.sNever mind. Well, I declare! Do
you call this meat boiled?" went on Mr..
Thompson.
81 tried to have it nice Robert" she
said, striving to choke down rising
sob-as we'll as an angry word.
Mr.. Thomson aroused by the culver
in the tone, looked at his wife; his
friends glanced at each other. She in
passed the dishes to them,
but was unable to eat anything herself.
He was watching his wife's face;
there was look on it he hardly under
kind of patient, hopeless look.
he looked at the cracked dishes; they
we're shabby looking; he vas ashamed
If them now before his friends. He
passed into the kitchen when they were
going out-how hot and sitting it felt
With that big fire-every bit as bad as
he south meadow. Indoors was not SO
comfortable place after all, if one had
,ooking to do. The idea fitted through
mis- mind that perhaps the work was
for his wife; she was at best a
delicate woman. He strolled down past
the grape arbor to the barn; as he en-
tered he overheard his friends, who stood
on the shady side of the BUILDING.
81 never pitied woman 80 much in
my lfe," said one Of them.
81 wouldn't treat my wife So" said